i heard what happened [reg]

[skylar roxanne winters]

September brought along breezes that held onto the remaining warmth of the summer and Skylar enjoyed the feel of it wrapping around her as she made her way off the grounds and into Hogwarts. The castle never seemed to change, another summer had come and gone, and here she was again. Things were getting easier. Dumbledore had checked in on her within the first few days and now a week had gone by and Skylar was more than determined to continue on as normal.

She shivered a little as she walked up the stairs of the castle, a Ravenclaw scarf was wrapped tight around her long neck causing her long dark hair to stick out at odd angles around her shoulders. Sky moved quickly giving a small smile and nod at some of the students she shared classes with and her housemates. Most of them were off in the opposite direction, to the Great Hall, where they would chat about the day’s events over dinner. Appetite had changed for her now but she did not wish to think about that. Sky showed her face at dinner most nights but tonight she merely wanted to get back to the dorm and read in peace.

The only thing she would complain about when it came to being placed in Gryffindor was the fact that their common room was at the other end of the universe in terms of the castle. She moved her way up the floors, the rush of students thinning out the higher up she went. At the fifth floor the staircase swung around with Skylar still on it and she groaned rushing off the steps and into the corridor.

Usually Sky could find her way around with little problem but this time around she as she began to walk down the corridor nothing seemed familiar to her. Not only that but it seemed unusually quiet with only the portraits making comments as she passed. With a sigh, Sky turned back and began to turn down the corridor again when she saw a figure approaching her and a familiar scent filled her nostrils.

[regulus arcturus black]

Regulus loathed the cold weather, mainly because it was truly the most painful time of year. What with blisteringly cold hands and noses causing anguish too students roaming the stone corridors of the school, sometimes with no glass in the windows. It was no surprise to Regulus that all the basic charms books are gone from the library by November as the first years try to learn how to blast hot air from their wands. The first cold day of the year is often met with lots of burn curing ailments in the hospital wing. Regulus had mastered the spell early on and had often been pestered by girls batting their eyelashes and swinging their hair over their shoulder wanting him to do the complex motion with their wands so they could warm up in the corridors. He obliged on rare occasions and only to fellow Slytherins, lest a black help out a random muggle or magical family with no right to be in his presence let alone experience his magical talents.

The holidays had been hard on Regulus, Sirius had left the black family home after a drawn out period of negligence from his parents at his brothers very existence and Reg having to fall into line. Equally denouncing his brothers open and unfiltered views on magical society and blood status. The most infamous of his brothers exploits was being best friends with that Potter boy in his year, along with two other random losers whom Regulus had never heard of. That said everything about who Sirius was now and the Black family expelled him from their inner circle and were glad to see the back of him. As far as Regulus' parents were concerned, they only had one son. The pressure that fell onto his young shoulders over the summer hadn't weighed him down too much, the family parties and events at the ministry all went by as normal but with an added sense of hush at the mention of Sirius. At school however, Regulus was on his own and expected to hold up the integrity of the Black name whilst Sirius was let loose around the school doing it damage.

He sighed heavily as he climbed the stairs to the higher floors, it was hard to get a moment of silence in the school but more importantly for himself, it was equally difficult to get away from prying eyes. Eyes that can filter back news of how Regulus was seen slacking off work or how he smiled at a muggle born or any other little piece of news that would warrent a howler from his parents. He never wanted to disappoint his parents and he understood why he was judged on his day to day actions - the Blacks were a prestigious family high in the magical world. He had a reputation to maintain. He tucked in his coat at a nip of the September air caught him off guard, he wished he could find somewhere warm to hide away but the common room, library and great hall were too public.

He was somewhere on the fifth floor, taking random turns just trying to get away from the noise of the school. Footsteps pounding on stone floors, rushing between classes, laughter over random things read in the papers. It was all white noise to Regulus and it prevented him from thinking clearly. Before he knew it, the noise died down until only two sets of footsteps remained. He looked up to see a young girl walking towards him, her long black hair instantly recognizable to him from their time spent together last year. Skylar, a Gryffindor student in his year. One of the many people he just didn't want to see. He stopped walking and watched her closely, hoping she would just walk on by. He gave her a perplexed look that morphed into malice, a half blood was the last person he could be seen with, now of all times. He was not his brother, he was a proud son of the black family.

[skylar roxanne winters]

A knot of anxiety started to form in her stomach. The familiar scent was almost homely to her but the underlying currents of butterbeer and sugar was replaced with that of parchment and ink. A subtle difference that she had picked up from between the brothers. The last time she had seen Regulus Black had been before summer when they had been paired on a Potions assignment together. Skylar had been particularly surprised that Slughorn had not bent to the whim of the younger Black sibling. Especially considering he was part of Horace Slughorn’s special Slug Club. Sky was almost certain that particular form of favouritism was not allowed but Dumbledore had yet to shut it down and so she simply rolled her eyes at their meetings and parties.

Despite the house differences they had managed to talk to each other and Skylar had felt that they had been getting somewhere. Not friends exactly but there was less hostility between them than when they had first been stuck together. However, just before handing in the assignment Regulus had discovered she was half blood leading to an almighty row between them and the rest of the assignment to be worked on through owls. They had left for summer without another word said between them and Skylar had not had the guts to try and contact him during their break. Why would she want to talk to him after the string of abuse she had received during their showdown?

But he was standing there in front of her now, looking less than pleased to see her and Sky was ready to walk past him. But something niggled in the back of her mind. The amount of whispers that seemed to be following the name Black around the castle and Sky knew that this was probably one of the only times that she would be able to talk to him without a gang of Slytherins around him. Taking a few more steps, Skylar stopped in front of him. ”Hi,” she started, her voice a little quiet. ”How are things?” She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her robes and fingering her wand in case things to a wrong turn straight away.

[regulus arcturus black]

Regulus wasn't particularly fond of Skylar, the reason for which was a shame. She actually struck him as one of the few fifth years in the school with their head screwed on straight. Yet, because she was a half blood, Regulus couldn't be seen with her anywhere in the school or word would filter around and he would be the gossip of the school. He never stopped to see it as a bad thing that he couldn't change who he was or face the repercussions of his parents, he ended up seeing himself as the person he wanted to be pretty much for the rest of his life. He was bringing pride and honour to his family name and what could possibly be more important than that? He was kidding himself if he believed there were other intelligent people he could talk to, but that was the way things were and Regulus had to look for other ways to satisfy his need for intelligent conversations. This mostly consisted of reading and talking to his owl, Sepretis, because most of the other pureblood Slytherins were dullards not interested in what they were learning in class and more concerned with girls, boys and checking their hair in every reflective surface they came across.

The project they worked on last year was initially met with hostility. Being paired with such a random student, someone Reg knew nothing about, came to bite him hard only after getting to know her as someone he might want to spend more time with. But the more confusing crux in his mind was how deeply interested she seemed in his wellbeing, not even his own parents had been so concerned about his happiness. It was always assumed he was doing fine unless he was in the hospital wing, but life is never that simple but it has to appear so for a black. They don’t get to feel upset or depressed or anything else of that nature. Only proud. He had tried to find an ulterior motive on Sky’s and only came back with a pretence of hiding her half-blood status from him. Surely that was it.

Regulus expected her to walk straight past, they had nothing more to say to one another given the project was over and done with and everything had been fine enough to finish it via owl rather than need to meet up. When she stopped and asked him how things were, his expression changed to one of surprise more than anything, even after his outburst having found out she was a half-blood, she still seemingly cared? Something didn’t sit right with Reg. ”What concern is it of yours?” Regulus snapped back, his anger and offence clear on his face as he looked up and down the corridor musingly, checking if they were alone. Regardless of if they were or not, he wasn’t about to break down into another heart-warming chat like the one on the quidditch stands.

[skylar roxanne winters]

Of course this was not going to be a happy meeting between them. She was not surprised about that at all and yet it still sort of stung her. Originally there had been the house difference between them but even that was not as bad as it could have been. Severus Snape and Lily Evans were friends. Or at least had been until he had called her a mudblood publicly at the end of last year. There had been a lot of whispers going around the castle since they had gotten back. Slytherin house was seemingly plagued with rumours this year.

Skylar stood her ground in front of him and tried to ignore that comforting smell of parchment and ink that she loved so much. The library was her sanctuary when she couldn’t cope in the corridors of the castle or the common room and Regulus smelling like it always lulled her into a false sense of security.

”It’s not my concern, not really. But I don’t think there’s a single person in the castle who doesn’t know some version of events. And I know nearly everyone is championing your brother but I… I guess I was just worried about how you were doing? He is your blood after all.” Skylar told him quietly. She was keeping an ear out to make sure they weren’t going to be joined by anyone. If someone did walk down the corridor she would leave not wanting to make his life difficult.

”I’m sorry…” Sky said to him.

[regulus arcturus black]

Regulus wasn’t sure if he was in the mood to have it out with Skylar here and now. On the one hand, he had taken a walk away from the noise of the school to get some time alone and maybe read a bit and this is definitely the opposite of some quiet time with a stimulating story. But then on the other side, this was bound to happen at some point, now that it had become clear that Skylar was open to talking with Reg about seemingly any topic that picked her fancy, even ones as close to the heart as asking how he was doing. What gave her the right to know what was going on in his mind where the rest of the school seemed to always be speculating? Now more than ever it seemed given the humiliation the Black family had suffered over the summer holidays. Nothing was ever private in the life of a noble Black.

She was difficult to read, Reg wasn’t sure if his outburst had been enough to deter her from pressing any further. He just wanted to be alone, the whispers and rumors had gotten too much for him to bear and had ended up in him seeking solitude as much as he could in his spare time. He could tolerate the chatter when he was in lessons or with his fellow Slytherins as there was always something else happening that he could occupy his mind with but it became harder to distract himself when he was alone. He was braced for some form of lashing out given his own sharp tongue but was surprised at what was blurted out the Gryffindor’s mouth.

He sighed, not out of sadness but that was a true emotion that he felt, but out of tiresome fatigue at the whole situation and spitting out the same rhetoric. ”How am I doing? What even gives you the right to ask that? He’s made his decision and the Black family is much the better off for it.” He spat back at Sky, the same line he had been giving almost every day since returning to Hogwarts. It was all about keeping face, regardless of what you may actually want to think about anything, your opinion was always the same as the rest of the Blacks.

”Sorry?” Regulus asked in surprise. ”Don’t be. We’re better off without him.” He finished with a coy grin as if it was only a matter of time before Sirius demonstrated his own demise.

[skylar roxanne winters]

Skylar sighed. This conversation had lasted less than five minutes and she was already tired. It was always fighting an uphill battle with him and Sky couldn’t figure out why even the smallest bit of compassion towards him and his family was met with such resistance. ”I am a human being, Regulus. As are you. Freedom of speech gives me the right to ask such questions. However if you prefer I join the rest of the gossips in the school I can much more easily do that.” Skylar bit back at him. The accent made her words twist weirdly around her tongue but her expression was now one to match his.

”Perhaps so. I am an only child so I have no idea what it feels like to lose a sibling.” Skylar said giving a shrug. She had always longed for a sibling but her parents had not lasted long and her father had never remarried so she was alone. Sky had always thought it would be nice to have someone to share things with on some personal level even if you weren’t that close. And from what everyone could tell Regulus and Sirius were not that close.

Sky was getting fed up of his attitude. She had simply wanted to be nice but it was like talking to a wall so why not indulge him. ”Oh, I’m sure you are better off without him.” Sky’s voice dripped with sarcasm. ”And he obviously feels the same way, so everyone’s happy.” With another sigh Sky turned away from him and made to walk down the corridor. ”Have a very fulfilled and perfect like now Regulus.” As she walked away from him she was throwing her arms in the air. ”Perfect little life with your perfect little family. Uptight and upholding values just so they don’t kick you out. Bloody hell, I’d want that life to, wouldn’t you?” Sky stopped to ask a portrait on the wall that blushed and disappeared.

[regulus arcturus black]

Regulus had done his part, he had acted totally crappy to someone who didn’t deserve it, someone who was actually expressing an interest in how he was coping with everything and he shunned her away. But it was expected of him, it was his default response, what else was he supposed to do? He accent cut into him as he weighed up his answers, what to say or what to do. She should just walk away and leave him alone, that would be best for all, surely? No one would come around the corner and spread rumours of Regulus Black seen chatting to a half-blood if she was gone. But if all of this was in his best interest, why was he feeling guilty?

What would he have lost by taking a moment to talk, in such a secluded part of the castle the chances of them being spotted were slim to none and he could have actually had that feeling from the quidditch stands again. To actually be normal and talk to someone who doesn’t care about blood status and gossip or anything. For someone who claimed to be so smart he could be really stupid at times.

Then it hit him. Anxiety. Panic. She was running off with a raised voice and flailing arms and talking to the portraits as if to pass on the sarcastic message that spoke volumes about Regulus’ true feelings about being a Black. He couldn’t let her leave and join in the gossip, with a mind like hers, his reputation would be decimated in days. Regulus moved with a jolt, following her down the corridor. ”Sky, wait. Sky!” He called after her, catching up swiftly and standing in front of her making sure he had her full attention. ”I’m sorry.” He started, lowering his head as he tried to pull his thoughts together into something that wasn’t tainted by his family, by expectations and gossip and showmanship. Was he even capable of such a thing? Just put on a show, he thought to himself.

”I’m sorry.” He started, sighing again but for real this time. Everything was getting to him and he was always on edge, on guard now more than ever. Skylar was someone he had once shared a deep conversation with and she was never one to socialise with those who spread gossip and it didn’t strike Regulus as being in her nature to do so anyway. ”You don’t know anything about what’s happened, just rumours and nonsense.” He exclaimed in as strong a voice as he could but it quavered and broke unwillingly in places. ”I know you’d rather not join the gossip as you know I don’t want you lowering yourself to their standards either.” He admitted, running his hand through his hair as he looked down in frustration. He was a fool, an utter idiot for even talking to her but what choice did he have?

[skylar roxanne winters]

Sky had no will to talk to him now. She had tried and he had shoved it back in her face. Why should she bother now that he was panicking over what she might say to the rest of the castle? He was still looking after his own skin. When he came up in front of her Skylar stopped and looked up at him. ”If I thought you actually meant that apology I would be touched.” If he truly wanted he to act like everyone else then why should she try prove him wrong?

The second time he apologised, Skylar softened some what and shook her head. ”Maybe you were right. It’s none of my business or concern but I was just worried about you.” It was weird how at times people could have an impact on your life in a short amount of time. In the time that she had spent with Reg she had noticed how unhappy he could be. There were days where he was so guarded and in a foul mood linked to things that had happened or gossip that had been spread. She had also noticed the things that made him ease up a little. And even after the spat about her blood (and the worry over the bigger things she was hiding) Sky couldn’t help but want him to feel that happiness she had seen in brief moments.

Sky gave him a small nod. Of course she wouldn’t be lowering herself to the standards of the school gossips. ”No, I know I don’t know the story. I doubt anyone outside of your family does and I’m not expecting you to tell me Regulus. I know you hate me. You made that perfectly clear.” Skylar started. ”I know the fact that your brother left and he is staying with James Potter. I don’t know why or what happened after and I don’t care because it isn’t my concern. But for a small amount of time, we used to speak and I just wanted to know if you were ok with everything in your life. Not your family, not your brother’s but your life.”

She ran a hand through her dark locks and loosened the scarf from around her neck. ”You don’t need to worry. I don’t talk about you and I don’t intend to start.”

[regulus arcturus black]

There would have been a time where Regulus would have paid no attention to Skylar on an evening like the one they spent in the quidditch stadium. He would have sat apart from her and waited for the rain to pass and simply paid her no mind. But after spending time with her, getting to know her beyond the surface of passion someone in the corridor or catching gossip around the common room fire, he’d found someone he once felt safe talking to. The question was, did he still feel that security now? He wasn’t sure if her lack of attempts to contact him after his outburst was a reflection on how she wanted nothing to do with him or if he had messed things up that badly. The fact that she talked to him in the corridor today gave Reg pause for thought that he was the one who had messed up the most, whatever his Black pride was telling him.

He hung his head as she rejected his apology at first, he deserved that for how he’d greeted her olive branch. He had been too self-absorbed in his own dilemma to appreciate her concern for him. He kept his head down as she accepted his apology somewhat but it just made him feel worse. Reg shook his head and looked up at some of the paintings on the wall before looking back to sky. Her dark hair and stark amber eyes staring right back at him. ”No, I wasn’t right. I don’t know what is right. I don’t care. You showed me kindness and I lost it for no reason.” He admitted, his lower lip trembling for a slight moment before he got it under control. He was still surprised to hear her use such expressions like she was worried about him. ”Why?” He asked plainly, as it was only the second time anyone had taken such an interest in him.

She wanted to know how he was doing. Regulus knew without hesitation that she wouldn’t run around and spread gossip, why had he been so quick to panic before. The whole situation had gotten him so worked up that maybe he needed to get some things off his chest, if only to help himself keep things under control. ”Of course no one outside the family knows the full story, but even I’m not sure sometimes” He said with a tone of frustration and sadness. He bet nobody could predict how close he and Sirius had been before attending Hogwarts. It was a world away from how they acted today. He took a few steps back from Sky and leant back against the wall, he wasn’t liking where this was all going.

He looked down at the floor and didn’t know what else to say: ”No, everything’s not ok.”

[skylar roxanne winters]

Skylar shook her head. ”I’m worried about you because everyone is on about Sirius and your family in general. I haven’t heard anyone talk about you. You exist, Regulus.” Skylar told him. It broke her heart to see him looking defeated the way he did right now. He was so good at putting up a front and getting his way that when that crumbled it was slightly worrying. She hesitated for a moment before she took his hand and then pulled him down to the floor with her. Sky leaned her back against the wall and let go of his hand. He needed a place to let go of whatever he was holding onto.

”I offer you kindness because I think you deserve it. I think you need it.” Skylar informed him. She knew he wasn’t in the realms of kindness. She hadn’t spent much time with purebloods especially in his world but their kindness seemed to come with terms and conditions and she wanted to know how he would be with someone who gave him some basic human contact as it should be. Unconditional and without thought.

When he said everything wasn’t ok she turned to him and said, ”Talk to me. It doesn’t have to be about this it can be about anything but talk to me. Stop thinking and censoring yourself and talk.” Skylar encouraged him. She was scared because he seemed to be so volatile at the moment. Hostile and the calm. She was treating him with as much caution as she could. ”I spent my summer back in Rome. But I think I’ll ask my father to stay in London over Christmas. Maybe even stay at the castle.” Sky started trying to make him feel at ease.

[regulus arcturus black]

Reg slumped easily to the floor, he couldn’t think of what else to do with the anxiety of the whole situation building up on top of him. If Sky hadn’t pulled him down gently he would have buckled under the weight of everything. ”I only exist when I’ve done something worth talking about at gala dinners or award ceremonies where my family need to put on a show.” Regulus said bitterly, directing his anger across the corridor to no one in particular, never his parents and this time, not Skylar. He put his hands flat on the floor and started drumming his nerves out onto the stone tiles with his fingers. ”All other times, I’m expected to keep calm and carry on.” He said with an exasperated sigh, summing up his feelings on the situation.

Reg thought back to all the times he had been proud of an achievement, be it at school or with life in general and not having it celebrated but having it packed away for the next public event or family party to show everyone how amazing his parents were at raising such an amazing son. A son who embodied all the qualities of the Black family. But of course, he rarely heard this first hand. Small nods of approval, meek words of praise but nothing like he’d see other parents express. No jumps for joy or cheers of jubilation, for they were the Black family. ”But I don’t deserve it, do i? Just look at what I get from my parents” He said, shaking his head back and forth. He didn’t deserve good things, he deserved to uphold the Black name at his own expense.

He went quiet, he really didn’t know what to say and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to say anything. There was so much going on inside his head that it wasn’t all set and ready to be talked about. He needed a moment to get himself together but he wondered if Sky knew that as she started to talk about her summer and Christmas plans. Regulus shook his head again. His summer just brought up more of the same crap at how he had been limited in who he could talk to for the sake of saving face. ”But don’t you have family back over there?” He asked, regarding her Christmas plans. This time of year always struck Regulus as a time for families to get together. ”I’ve never stayed in the castle over Christmas and I think my family are heading abroad. I don’t know.” he said, disjointedly. He was still muddling things up as he knew what he wanted to say but not how to say it. He wondered if Sky would end up filling in the blanks or if he would have to keep trying to explain himself.

He was glad nobody could see them, if his family knew he had suffered a breakdown then the world would know that he was to stay at home for the foreseeable future because of some mystery illness. The same excuses said about Sirius before his public departure.

[skylar roxanne winters]

Her heart was aching in her chest and if she thought that she could get away with hugging him right now she would have. However, considering their odd relationship she did not think that was the best idea. ”No you don’t Reg. You are definitely worth more than your achievements.” How horrible must it be to feel you were only worth what you achieved. Talked about only when something worth talking about had happened. Sky’s hand found his again as he began to drum at the floor.

”I don’t know much about your parents. I don’t feel I can really comment there.” It also wouldn’t be polite of her to do so. She had heard enough about them. Good things about how they upheld honour and obviously bad things relating to what their values are. She couldn’t say she was a fan which was why it had surprised her that she and Regulus could get along. ”Just because your parents may not give it to you doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it, Reg.” Sky turned her face to look at him. ”You deserve good just like everyone else.” Her voice was quiet. A conversation that was just for their ears.

Sky was glad when he seemed to take up her line of conversation. ”We do but we don’t talk. So Christmas is just me and Dad like it is with everything.” Sky said, then she continued. ”Oh that sounds bad. I’m not complaining, I love my Dad. But it’s always me and him.” She nodded as he spoke. ”I’ve heard staying is meant to be quite nice. Dumbledore throws a Christmas dinner and I’m sure that’s not dull.” She squeezed his hand. ”Will you be going anywhere nice?”

[regulus arcturus black]

The sum of Regulus’ achievements were displayed on his bedroom wall at home, with his most honourable awards given pride of place on the mantelpiece of the dining room. That was what any child of the Black family strived for and Regulus could only imagine the addition of more siblings adding to the drive. It had the potential to tear families apart with the need to outdo your brothers and sisters rather than join in celebration for their accomplishments. At a young age, Sirius and Regulus never engaged in such contests, they just enjoyed each other’s company in whatever activities they happened to do. But after Sirius had been sorted into Gryffindor, his parents seemed to hold their breaths as they sent Regulus off on the Hogwarts Express for the first time. Their uncertainty over what house he would be sorted into was clear. When he was sorted into Slytherin, his competitive side showed, and with Sirius only interested in goofing around with his friends, Regulus was praised for every achievement but always in an attempt to pressure Sirius into doing better for their family. That’s all his achievements are to his parents. ”Am i? I never see it.” He said plainly, emotion draining from his voice with pure fatigue of his situation.

He wondered how Skylar must feel about his situation. Could she even comprehend on any level the distancing of a parent, or god forbid both of them? He had no idea and wasn’t about to ask about her father as he was still around to actively ignore her. The abandonment she suffered from her mother was something Regulus could not comprehend and just ended up feeling anger and confusion towards a woman he had never met. How could you walk out on your child and leave them to fend without your loving and watchful eye? ”Obviously I don’t Sky. If I did then why have I always gotten the cold shoulder whenever I did something I was proud of? That pride is all about my family name and nothing else.” He groaned, clearly distressed and trying to keep his thoughts together. He was treading a fine line and he wasn’t sure which side his mind was on.

The change in topic was welcome, he wasn’t sure what else to say if just given the floor to talk. Reg cocked his head to one side as Sky explained her normal Christmas arrangements, it indeed sounded a tad lonely to his ears as Christmas is a time for family. ”So it sounds like you enjoy it, but is it just same old, same old?” He asked, still sounding down but taking a genuine interest in Sky’s life. Regulus had to admit, Christmas at the castle sounded tempting every year. As she squeezed his hand, Reg jumped a bit in surprise. It was an unexpected gesture and he wasn’t sure if he was comfortable with it or not. ”It does sound awesome, if I didn’t miss my family I’d have stayed every year. But my family always insist on throwing an extravagant Christmas parties, random guests they’ve met over the year. Not always my thing.” He admitted with a shrug.

”Over to America I think, my dad has gotten to know a lot of people over there this year for work and a few family members moved over there.” He said in a distant voice, he never felt very connected to his parent’s lives.

[skylar roxanne winters]

”Perhaps you never give people the chance to show you.” Skylar explained to him. ”From where I stand Reg, a lot of the company you keep are trophy collectors. You all show each other off but you aren’t happy with that. There are people around you who would definitely see you as more than your achievements.” Sky let out a deep breath. ”I certainly do.” His achievements were impressive, there was no doubt about that. He did well in classes, was popular, skilful on the quidditch pitch. But when they had been paired all she saw was a boy. Intelligent and thoughtful.

”If you do something you’re proud of you do it for you. Reg these are basic things. Don’t you know that?” How was she meant to get him out of this pit he was in? Then again she wasn’t sure if she wanted him to come out of it. He needed to let a lot of things out of his system. He had held in a lot from the looks of it and she wanted him to feel like there was at least one safe place for him to let out everything he felt.

Skylar nodded, he dark hair bouncing around her shoulders. ”I think Dad’s as sick of me as I am of him.” Sky admitted to him. ”Well, if I stay this year I’ll be sure to give you all the details of what happens. I’ll even save us one of those legendary crackers I’ve heard about.” Sky gave him her modified smile. She rarely grinned now because of her teeth. ”If it’s not your thing then stay here.”

He looked so forlorn that she couldn’t help herself. Skylar shifted her weight so that she was now sat in front of him. Her cold hand rested on either side of her face and she positioned hers in front of his. Her breath would be warm on his skin with the scent of liquorice and dew. ”Please listen to me. Do not let other people define your worth.” Her large brown eyes searched his own.